TORONTO, ON, July 26, 2016 – As an extension of Cadillac Fairview’s (CF) newly introduced youth-focused philanthropy platform, CF is partnering with WE, a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world locally and globally, achieving transformative outcomes for themselves and others. The three-year partnership will support several youth empowerment initiatives, events and celebrations across CF’s retail properties nationally, giving young people an opportunity to get involved in communities where CF operates. Additionally, the first-ever full-time WE retail destination will officially open at CF Toronto Eaton Centre on July 28, marking the first time CF has donated long-term leasing to a charitable partner.

Earlier this year, CF announced its new youth-focused philanthropy strategy, including half a million dollars in donations to 14 local charities across Canada, and the partnership with WE is an integral part of the Company’s long-term vision of investing in Canadian youth.

“We are thrilled to join forces with WE to encourage youth to make a positive difference in communities across Canada by being agents of change,” says Jason Anderson, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Cadillac Fairview. “It is important that our CF shopping centres play an active role in building strong communities, and we believe this starts by empowering and inspiring the younger generation to become leaders of tomorrow.”

“Partnering with Cadillac Fairview provides a fantastic opportunity to amplify our national presence while strengthening our impact in local communities through exciting and innovative experiences available at CF shopping centres across the country,” said Marc Kielburger, co-founder, WE. “Together, we share a collective goal to encourage youth to take action and we are excited to support Cadillac Fairview‘s mission to empower youth in the community.”

This multi-year partnership between two passionate organizations creates a national alliance committed to empowering young people in the following ways:

Supporting WE Schools

WE Schools, a service-learning program that prepares students with life skills to help them better the world and empower them to forge their own paths to success, is delivered in more than 5,800 schools across Canada. WE Schools provides educational resources and service campaigns, helping students further their curricular learning and develop the life skills for success, challenging young people to research and make an impact on at least one local and one global issue that sparks their passion.

The partnership will enhance the WE Schools program for students at 20 schools across Canada and equip them with the tools and confidence they need to take action on causes they care about with the support of their local CF shopping centres. CF will support these schools by opening property space to students to reach out to other community members, showcasing their action plans for making a difference and amplifying their powerful message for local and global change. CF will also host ‘evening of inspiration’ celebration events to honour outstanding Canadian students who have earned their way to attend the youth empowerment event, WE Day, in five cities across Canada.

In addition, CF will award scholarships to 20 outstanding world-changers from the WE Schools program providing them with the opportunity to attend ME to WE’s Take Action Camp next summer where youth can discover their passion, build confidence and develop leadership skills.

First-ever WE Retail Store Opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre

As part of the partnership, CF is providing retail space in-kind at CF Toronto Eaton Centre to WE to operate its first full-time bricks-and-mortar WE Store location. This marks the first time CF has donated long-term leasing to a charitable partner. As the physical manifestation of the WE Movement, the WE Store offers ME to WE products that empower people to change the world with their everyday consumer choices. Every ME to WE purchase gives a life-changing gift to a child or family in WE Charity’s partner communities, from school supplies to health care to alternative income opportunities. For the first time, customers will be able to shop for socially conscious goods, like Rafiki Bracelets and make an impact in person at the WE Store opening this Thursday, July 28th. As part of ME to WE’s transparent giving model, all products come with a Track Your Impact code for buyers to track exactly where and how their purchase has made an impact in a partner community. To celebrate the grand opening, Bridgit Mendler, long-time WE Movement supporter, singer and actress, will be on-site to meet and greet fans at 5:00 p.m.

About Cadillac Fairview

Cadillac Fairview is one of the largest owners, operators and developers of best-in-class office, retail and mixed-use properties in North America. The company also invests in retail, mixed-use and industrial real estate in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

Valued at more than $29 billion, Cadillac Fairview owns over 38 million square feet of leasable space at 72 properties in Canada, including landmark developments, such as Toronto-Dominion Centre, CF Toronto Eaton Centre, CF Pacific Centre and CF Chinook Centre.

Cadillac Fairview has been wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan since 2000. Ontario Teachers’ is a diversified global investor and administers the pensions of more than 300,000 active and retired school teachers.

About WE

WE is a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world. A unique family of organizations, WE is made up of two divisions: WE Charity and ME to WE social enterprise, which empower people to make a difference at home and globally. The celebration of that change happens at WE Day – inspiring stadium-sized life-changing events that take place around the world. Join the WE movement today at www.metowe.com.